While the discussions predominantly revolved around the Bill’s provisions, there was a moment when the heated exchanges diverted to a more personal issue.
Congress MPs raised objections when they observed Union ministers Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh leaving the chambers. After more than twelve hours of debate and subsequent clause-by-clause voting, an irate Opposition questioned how the two leaders were permitted to exit amidst the voting process, especially given that the lobby had been sealed and members were prohibited from leaving during this time.
Congress MP KC Venugopal claimed that the House was bending the rules for the two ministers. He was soon joined by fellow Congress MPs, including Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi. MPs from the Treasury benches explained that the leaders merely stepped out to use the washroom, but the Opposition, anticipating a likely defeat on the Bill, was determined to capitalize on the situation.
However, the Opposition’s initial excitement quickly turned into discomfort when Deputy Leader of Opposition Gaurav Gogoi, the Congress MP spearheading the party’s efforts during the debate, made his entrance into the House, eliciting laughter from the Treasury benches.
In a twist, BJP MPs questioned how a Congress member had managed to walk out. As the Opposition started to respond, another Congress MP, Imran Masood, entered the House from outside, further delighting Treasury MPs.
Amidst this uproar, Rahul Gandhi was heard asserting that it was the Speaker’s responsibility to uphold the “sanctity of the lobby” during voting, contending that the Opposition could not be held accountable for the two MPs leaving in the middle of the process.
The commotion continued for a few minutes until Shah and Singh returned to the chambers and resumed their seats.
Once order was restored, Speaker Om Birla clarified to the House, especially addressing the Opposition benches, that there had been no violation of the lobby’s sanctity, stating that in the new Parliament building, the “lobby” extends to the corridors outside the chambers and includes the washroom.
“Not a single door of the lobby has been opened. When the new Parliament building was constructed, a provision was made for the washroom to be located within the lobby. Do not engage in unnecessary arguments. This was designed with young and elderly members of the House in mind,” the Speaker remarked.
Throughout the lengthy debate, the ruling NDA defended the legislation, arguing it was advantageous for minorities, while dismissing the Opposition’s claims that it constituted interference by the Centre in Muslim religious matters.
The washroom incident was not the only moment of embarrassment for Congress during the Lok Sabha debate, as several non-Congress MPs who opposed the Bill also criticized the party for its failure to improve the situation for Muslims over the years.
“The Congress members are delivering speeches, but they also bear some responsibility. Yes, I oppose the Bill, but had the Congress genuinely cared about Muslims, some benefits might have been realized. The Congress has 11 MPs from Rajasthan, which hosts many Waqf properties. It should have sent at least one MP from there to speak. Instead, that task fell to me,” remarked Rajasthan MP Hanuman Beniwal of the Rashtriya Loktantrik Party, noting that there has been no advancement in the economic and social status of Muslims over the last 70 years.
“Everyone knows that the BJP blatantly asserts its dominance over Muslims. But the Congress poisons the well of secularism and then drives the dagger into the backs of Muslims,” Independent MP from Kashmir Engineer Rashid, currently incarcerated under UAPA charges and attending the House on parole, stated.
